Somalia: Threats to Kill Journalists' Leader - Press Release

National Union of Somali Journalists (Mogadishu)
PRESS RELEASE
4 September 2007

Ali Moallim Isak, Organising Secretary Of the National Union of Somali Journalists received threatening phone calls on Monday, 3rd September, that a man was saying that he will kill Ali if does not stop what he is doing by mentioning that they know his home and the offices of NUSOJ. As well, two men with pistols came to the offices of NUSOJ asking Ali Moallim.
At the time, the armed men arrived the offices, Ali Moallim with other NUSOJ executives and fellow journalists were visiting journalist Abdihakim Omar Jimale of Radio Mogadishu, who was wounded on 10 August by unknown assailants. Ali Moallim presented to Abdihakin Omar an assistance fund from the International Federation of Journalists.

"We denounce this senseless attempt & baleful message, and will not discourage us to keep on our commitment to defend press freedom," said Omar Faruk Osman, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists. "We will continue monitoring and investigating crimes against journalists and media, and as well as abasing criminals".

Source: National Union of Somali Journalists